U.S. patent number 10,561,262 [Application Number 15/916,026] was granted by the patent office on 2020-02-18 for beverage container with non-manual lid operation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pacific Market International, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Pacific Market International, LLC. Invention is credited to Evan Michael Choltco-Devlin, Mark Freeman, Scott Jarnagin, Ping Phan, Naiqiang Zhang.
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United States Patent |
10,561,262 |
Phan , et al. |
February 18, 2020 |
Beverage container with non-manual lid operation
Abstract
A lid assembly configured to close an opening in a vessel
holding a liquid. The lid assembly includes a drinking port,
plunger member, and drive assembly. The plunger member is moveable
between closed and open positions with respect to the drinking
port. The plunger member prevents the liquid from flowing through
the drinking port when the plunger member is in the closed position
and allows the liquid to flow through the drinking port when the
plunger member is in the open position. The drive assembly includes
drive circuitry that automatically directs the drive assembly to
move the plunger member to the open position when the drive
circuitry detects the lid assembly is in a drinking position. The
drive circuitry automatically directs the drive assembly to move
the plunger member to the closed position when the drive circuitry
detects the lid assembly is in other than the drinking
position.
Inventors: |
Phan; Ping (Shoreline, WA),
Choltco-Devlin; Evan Michael (Ellensburg, WA), Zhang;
Naiqiang (Seattle, WA), Freeman; Mark (Seattle, WA),
Jarnagin; Scott (Seattle, WA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pacific Market International, LLC |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
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Assignee: |
Pacific Market International,
LLC (Seattle, WA)
|
Family
ID: |
63520748 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/916,026 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180263392 A1 |
Sep 20, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62471888 |
Mar 15, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
51/1644 (20130101); B65D 43/0229 (20130101); A47G
19/2272 (20130101); B65D 2543/00046 (20130101); B65D
2543/00231 (20130101); B65D 2543/00092 (20130101); B65D
2543/0049 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
19/22 (20060101); B65D 51/16 (20060101); B65D
43/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;222/52,166,164,504 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Long; Donnell A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP Rondeau,
Jr.; George C. Colburn; Heather M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/471,888, filed on Mar. 15, 2017, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A beverage container comprising: a vessel configured to hold a
liquid, the vessel having an opening; and a lid assembly coupled to
and closing the opening of the vessel, the lid assembly having a
drinking port, a plunger member, and a drive assembly, the drive
assembly being configured to move the plunger member between closed
and open positions with respect to the drinking port, the drinking
port being closed by the plunger member when the plunger member is
in the closed position, the drinking port being configured to allow
the liquid to flow therethrough when the plunger member is in the
open position, the drive assembly comprising drive circuitry, the
drive circuitry comprising an inertial measurement unit connected
to a microcontroller, the inertial measurement unit comprising a
gyroscope and an accelerometer, the inertial measurement unit
sending data collected by both the gyroscope and the accelerometer
to the microcontroller, the microcontroller obtaining, from the
data, a pitch angle of rotation about a pitch axis, a rate of
rotation about the pitch axis, and a total acceleration value, the
microcontroller being configured to detect the beverage container
is in a drinking position when (a) the pitch angle of rotation is
between a pitch lower angle threshold and a pitch upper angle
threshold for at least a predetermined time period, (b) the total
acceleration value is less than or equal to an upper acceleration
threshold, and (c) the total acceleration value is greater than or
equal to a lower acceleration threshold, the drive circuitry being
configured to automatically direct the drive assembly to move the
plunger member to the open position when the microcontroller
detects the beverage container is in the drinking position, the
drive circuitry being configured to automatically direct the drive
assembly to move the plunger member to the closed position when the
microcontroller detects the beverage container is in other than the
drinking position.
2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the pitch lower angle
threshold is about 20 degrees, the pitch upper angle threshold is
about 180 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G, and the
predetermined time period is about 2 seconds.
3. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller
obtains, from the data, a roll angle of rotation about a roll axis,
and the microcontroller is configured to detect the beverage
container is in other than the drinking position when the roll
angle of rotation is greater than a roll upper angle threshold, the
pitch angle of rotation is less than the pitch lower angle
threshold, or the total acceleration value is between the upper and
lower acceleration thresholds.
4. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein the roll upper angle
threshold is about 45 degrees, the pitch lower angle threshold is
about 20 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
and the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G.
5. The beverage container of claim 3, wherein the microcontroller
is configured to detect the beverage container is in an upright
position when the roll angle of rotation is less than a roll lower
angle threshold, the pitch angle of rotation is less than the pitch
lower angle threshold, and the total acceleration value is between
the upper and lower acceleration thresholds, and the drive
circuitry is configured to direct the drive assembly to move the
plunger member to the closed position when the microcontroIler
detects the beverage container is in the upright position.
6. The beverage container of claim 5, wherein the roll lower angle
threshold is about 20 degrees, the pitch lower angle threshold is
about 20 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
and the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G.
7. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising: a cam
member abutting the plunger member, the drive assembly further
comprising a motor operable to rotate the cam member, the motor
being connected to the drive circuitry, the drive circuitry being
configured to automatically direct the motor to rotate the cam
member in a first direction when the microcontroller detects the
beverage container is in the drinking position and to rotate the
cam member in a second direction when the microcontroller detects
the beverage container is in other than the drinking position, the
second direction being opposite the first direction, the cam member
pushing on the plunger member and moving the plunger member toward
the open position when the motor rotates the cam member in the
first direction.
8. The beverage container of claim 7, further comprising: at least
one biasing member that biases the plunger member toward the closed
position, the cam member allowing the at least one biasing member
to move the plunger member toward the closed position when the
motor rotates the cam member in the second direction.
9. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising: a vent
seal coupled to and movable with the plunger member between the
closed and open positions, the lid assembly comprising a vent
aperture, the vent seal allowing gas to flow from inside the vessel
and out through the vent aperture when the plunger member is in the
open position, the vent seal preventing the gas from flowing
through the vent aperture when the plunger member is in the closed
position.
10. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising: an
electrical power source configured to provide power to the drive
circuitry, the drive circuitry further comprising a solenoid
operable to move the plunger member between the closed and open
positions with respect to the drinking port.
11. The beverage container of claim 1, further comprising: an
electrical power source configured to provide power to the drive
assembly, the drive assembly further comprising a motor operable to
move the plunger member between the closed and open positions with
respect to the drinking port.
12. A lid assembly configured to close an opening in a vessel
holding a liquid, the lid assembly comprising: a drinking port
configured to be in fluid communication with the liquid when the
lid assembly is closing the opening in the vessel; a plunger member
moveable between closed and open positions with respect to the
drinking port, the plunger member being configured to prevent the
liquid from flowing through the drinking port when the plunger
member is in the closed position, the plunger member being
configured to allow the liquid to flow through the drinking port
when the plunger member is in the open position; and a drive
assembly configured to move the plunger member between the closed
and open positions with respect to the drinking port, the drive
assembly comprising drive circuitry, the drive circuitry comprising
an inertial measurement unit connected to a microcontroller, the
microcontroller being configured to detect when the lid assembly is
in a drinking position and when the lid assembly is in other than
the drinking position, the inertial measurement unit comprising a
gyroscope and an accelerometer, the inertial measurement unit
sending data collected by both the gyroscope and the accelerometer
to the microcontroller, the microcontroller obtaining, from the
data, a pitch angle of rotation about a pitch axis, a rate of
rotation about the pitch axis, and a total acceleration value, the
microcontroller being configured to detect the lid assembly is in
the drinking position when (a) the pitch angle of rotation is
between a pitch lower angle threshold and a pitch upper angle
threshold for at least a predetermined time period, (b) the total
acceleration value is less than or equal to an upper acceleration
threshold, and (c) the total acceleration value is greater than or
equal to a lower acceleration threshold, the drive circuitry being
configured to automatically direct the drive assembly to move the
plunger member to the open position when the microcontroller
detects the lid assembly is in the drinking position, the drive
circuitry being configured to automatically direct the drive
assembly to move the plunger member to the closed position when the
microcontroller detects the lid assembly is in other than the
drinking position.
13. The lid assembly of claim 12, wherein the pitch lower angle
threshold is about 20 degrees, the pitch upper angle threshold is
about 180 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G, and the
predetermined time period is about 2 seconds.
14. The lid assembly of claim 12, wherein the microcontroller
obtains, from the data, a roll angle of rotation about a roll axis,
and the microcontroller is configured to detect the lid assembly is
in other than the drinking position when the roll angle of rotation
is greater than a roll upper angle threshold, the pitch angle of
rotation is less than the pitch lower angle threshold, or the total
acceleration value is between the upper and lower acceleration
thresholds.
15. The lid assembly of claim 14, wherein the roll upper angle
threshold is about 45 degrees, the pitch lower angle threshold is
about 20 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
and the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G.
16. The lid assembly of claim 14, wherein the microcontroller is
configured to detect the lid assembly is in an upright position
when the roll angle of rotation is less than a roll lower angle
threshold, the pitch angle of rotation is less than the pitch lower
angle threshold, and the total acceleration value is between the
upper and lower acceleration thresholds, and the drive circuitry is
configured to direct the drive assembly to move the plunger member
to the closed position when the microcontroller detects the lid
assembly is in the upright position.
17. The lid assembly of claim 16, wherein the roll lower angle
threshold is about 20 degrees, the pitch lower angle threshold is
about 20 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold is about 0.5 G,
and the upper acceleration threshold is about 1.5 G.
18. The lid assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a cam member
abutting the plunger member, the drive assembly further comprising
a motor operable to rotate the cam member, the motor being
connected to the drive circuitry, the drive circuitry being
configured to automatically direct the motor to rotate the cam
member in a first direction when the microcontroller detects the
lid assembly is in the drinking position and to rotate the cam
member in a second direction when the microcontroller detects the
lid assembly is in other than the drinking position, the second
direction being opposite the first direction, the cam member
pushing on the plunger member and moving the plunger member toward
the open position when the motor rotates the cam member in the
first direction.
19. The lid assembly of claim 18, further comprising: at least one
biasing member that biases the plunger member toward the closed
position, the cam member allowing the at least one biasing member
to move the plunger member toward the closed position when the
motor rotates the cam member in the second direction.
20. The lid assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a vent seal
coupled to and movable with the plunger member between the closed
and open positions, the lid assembly comprising a vent aperture,
the vent seal allowing gas to flow from inside the vessel and out
through the vent aperture when the plunger member is in the open
position, the vent seal preventing the gas from flowing through the
vent aperture when the plunger member is in the closed
position.
21. The lid assembly of claim 12, further comprising: an electrical
power source configured to provide power to the drive assembly, the
drive circuitry further comprising a solenoid operable to move the
plunger member between the closed and open positions with respect
to the drinking port.
22. The lid assembly of claim 12, further comprising: an electrical
power source configured to provide power to the drive assembly, the
drive assembly further comprising a motor operable to move the
plunger member between the closed and open positions with respect
to the drinking port.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to beverage
containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container having a lid
assembly attached to a vessel.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage container of FIG. 1
illustrated with the lid assembly exploded from the vessel.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container with its
drinking port closed taken through a plane defined by axes "R" and
"V" of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container with its
drinking port open taken through the plane defined by axes "R" and
"V" of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of the
beverage container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of a lid base and a
plunger assembly of the lid assembly of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the lid base and
the plunger assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a lid body of the lid assembly
of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the lid body of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the lid base of the lid
assembly of FIG. 5.
FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a cartridge member of the
plunger assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a plunger member of the
plunger assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of an assembly that includes the
plunger member, a cam member, and a motor of the beverage container
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 13 showing a
side opposite the side shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is an exploded bottom perspective view of fasteners, a lid
cover, a drive assembly, a cover seal, and the lid body of the lid
assembly of FIG. 5.
FIG. 16 is a schematic of drive circuitry connected to the motor
and mounted on a substrate of the drive assembly of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the drive
circuitry of FIG. 16.
Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify
like components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 depicts a beverage container 100 (e.g., a coffee mug) with a
lid assembly 120 removably attached to a liquid tight cup-shaped
vessel 110. Referring to FIG. 2, the vessel 110 defines a fluid
tight hollow interior 112 configured to house a beverage or liquid
124. The vessel 110 has an open upper portion 114 opposite a closed
base portion 116. The open upper portion 114 includes an opening
117 into the hollow interior 112. The liquid 124 may be poured into
the hollow interior 112 of the vessel 110 via the opening 117. In
the embodiment illustrated, the vessel 110 has inside threads 118
that extend into the hollow interior 112 along the open upper
portion 114.
The lid assembly 120 is couplable to the open upper portion 114 to
close the opening 117. In the embodiment illustrated, the lid
assembly 120 has outside threads 119 configured to engage and mate
with the inside threads 118 of the vessel 110. Thus, the user may
selectively thread the lid assembly 120 onto and off the vessel
110. When the outside threads 119 are engaged with the inside
threads 118, a liquid tight seal is formed therebetween.
Referring to FIG. 1, the lid assembly 120 is configured to open a
drinking port 122 automatically to allow the liquid 124 housed
inside the container 100 to flow therethrough. The lid assembly 120
is also configured to close the drinking port 122 automatically to
prevent the liquid 124 from exiting the container 100 therethrough.
As explained below, in the embodiment illustrated, the lid assembly
120 is configured to open the drinking port 122 when the user lifts
and tilts the container 100 to drink. The lid assembly 120 is
configured to close the drinking port 122 when the user places the
container 100 in an upright position (illustrated in FIG. 1) in
which the container 100 is substantially aligned along a vertical
axis "V." Thus, as explained below, the drinking port 122 is opened
and closed without much interaction from the user. The lid assembly
120 may also be configured to close the drinking port 122 when the
user is walking briskly, running, has dropped the container 100 or
the container 100 has fallen over. Optionally, the lid assembly 120
may include a lock out feature that prevents the drinking port 122
from opening (e.g., when the container 100 is operated by an
unauthorized user).
Referring to FIG. 5, the lid assembly 120 includes a lid body 130,
a removable lid cover 132, an optional gasket or cover seal 134, a
removable lid base 136, a plunger assembly 138, and a drive
assembly 140.
Lid Body
Referring to FIG. 5, the lid body 130 has an outer sidewall 150
defining a hollow interior 152. The outer sidewall 150 has an upper
edge portion 154 opposite a lower edge portion 156. In the
embodiment illustrated, the outer sidewall 150 has a generally
cylindrical cross-sectional shape. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a
transverse platform 160 bifurcates the hollow interior 152 into an
upper interior portion 162 (see FIG. 8) and a lower interior
portion 164 (see FIG. 9). In the embodiment illustrated, a central
through-hole 170 extends through the platform 160. Referring to
FIG. 9, a vent through-hole 172 and a drink through-hole 174 are
formed along a periphery 176 of the platform 160 and extend through
the platform 160. In the embodiment illustrated, the vent
through-hole 172 is positioned inside a recess 178 formed in the
underside of the platform 160.
Referring to FIG. 8, a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 180 and 182
extend upwardly from the platform 160 along the central
through-hole 170. An area 184 of the upper interior portion 162 is
defined between the sidewalls 180 and 182.
Within the upper interior portion 162, the outer sidewall 150 of
the lid body 130 has a vent aperture 192. A cover portion 194 of
the lid body 130 encloses a vent through-channel 196 (see FIG. 9)
that connects the vent aperture 192 to the vent through-hole 172
(see FIG. 9). Thus, when the vent through-hole 172 is unobstructed,
air (e.g., steam) inside the lower interior portion 164 (see FIG.
9) may flow into the vent through-hole 172 (see FIG. 9), through
the vent through-channel 196 (see FIG. 9), and out the vent
aperture 192.
Referring to FIG. 8, an internal through-channel 200 connects the
drink through-hole 174 (see FIG. 9) to the drinking port 122. The
internal through-channel 200 is defined between a portion 202 of
the outer sidewall 150 and an upwardly extending inner sidewall
204. In the embodiment illustrated, the portion 202 of the outer
sidewall 150 and a distal portion 206 of the inner sidewall 204
both extend upwardly beyond the upper edge portion 154 of the outer
sidewall 150. The inner sidewall 204 has a recessed portion 208
along the distal portion 206 (and near the drinking port 122) that
is coplanar with the upper edge portion 154. The distal portion 206
has an upwardly facing surface 210 positioned above the recessed
portion 208 along the vertical axis "V" (see FIG. 1) when the
container 100 is in the upright position illustrated in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 9, the distal portion 206 also has an inwardly
and downwardly facing surface 211 opposite the upwardly facing
surface 210 (see FIG. 8).
Referring to FIG. 9, inside the lower interior portion 164, a pair
of sidewalls 212 and 214 flank the drink through-hole 174. The
sidewalls 212 and 214 extend inwardly from the outer sidewall 150
and downwardly toward the lower edge portion 156 of the outer
sidewall 150.
Referring to FIG. 8, mounting structures 220 and 221 extend
upwardly from the platform 160. In the embodiment illustrated, the
mounting structures 220 and 221 include apertures 225 and 226,
respectively, configured to receive fasteners F1 and F2 (see FIG.
5), respectively.
Mounting structures 230-235 may extend radially outwardly from the
outer sidewall 150 along the upper edge portion 154 of the outer
sidewall 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the mounting
structures 230-235 include apertures 240-245, respectively,
configured to receive fasteners F3-F8 (see FIG. 5),
respectively.
Referring to FIG. 5, the outside threads 119 may extend along a
lower portion 250 of the outer sidewall 150. Referring to FIG. 9,
inside the lower interior portion 164, the lid body 130 may include
one or more inwardly extending connector projections 252-254. As
may be seen in FIG. 15, each of the inwardly extending connector
projections 252-254 includes an upwardly extending tab 256.
Referring to FIG. 5, an annularly shaped flange 260 extends
radially outwardly from the outer sidewall 150. The flange 260 is
positioned above the outside threads 119. Referring to FIGS. 1 and
2, the flange 260 abuts the open upper portion 114 (see FIG. 2) of
the vessel 110 when the lid assembly 120 is coupled to the vessel
110.
Lid Cover
Referring to FIG. 5, the lid cover 132 is general planar having an
upper surface 270 opposite a lower surface 272 (see FIG. 15). The
lid cover 132 is configured to cover the upper edge portion 154 of
the outer sidewall 150 and enclose the upper interior portion 162.
Thus, the lid cover 132 may have a generally circular outer shape
along its outer periphery 274. A notch 276 is formed in the lid
cover 132 that allows the distal portion 206 of the inner sidewall
204 to pass through the lid cover 132. Thus, the drinking port 122
is accessible from outside the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4). In
the embodiment illustrated, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
upwardly facing surface 210 of the distal portion 206 is coplanar
with the upper surface 270 of the lid cover 132.
Referring to FIG. 5, the fasteners F3-F8 removably fasten the lid
cover 132 to the lid body 130. Ring-shaped projections 280-285
extend outwardly from the outer periphery 274. The projections
280-285 are configured to allow the fasteners F3-F8 to pass
therethrough and into the apertures 240-244 (see FIG. 8),
respectively, of the mounting structures 230-235 (see FIG. 8),
respectively, extending along the upper edge portion 154 of the
outer sidewall 150 of the lid body 130.
The lid cover 132 may be transparent and/or translucent to allow
light to shine therethrough.
Cover Seal
Referring to FIG. 5, the optional cover seal 134 may be disposed
between the lid cover 132 and the lid body 130. In the embodiment
illustrated, the cover seal 134 extends along the upper edge
portion 154 of the outer sidewall 150 and across the recessed
portion 208 (see FIG. 8) of the inner sidewall 204. The cover seal
134 is configured to help form a liquid tight seal between the lid
cover 132 and the lid body 130. By way of a non-limiting example,
the cover seal 134 may be constructed from a flexible,
compressible, and/or malleable material (e.g., rubber).
Lid Base
Referring to FIG. 7, the removable lid base 136 has a ring-shaped
member 300 attached to a handle member 302. The ring-shaped member
300 has an upper edge 304 opposite a lower edge 306. The handle
member 302 extends downwardly from the lower edge 306.
Referring to FIG. 5, the lid base 136 is removably mountable inside
the lid body 130. Referring to FIG. 10, the ring-shaped member 300
has one or more outwardly extending connector projections 312-314
and a pair of lips 316 and 318 that extend inwardly from the
ring-shaped member 300. The outwardly extending connector
projections 312-314 are positioned to be inserted in between the
inwardly extending connector projections 252-254 (see FIG. 9) of
the lid body 130 (see FIGS. 5, 8, 9, and 15). Then, referring to
FIG. 5, the lid base 136 is rotated (using the handle member 302)
in a direction identified by a curved arrow 319 to position the
outwardly extending connector projections 312-314 (see FIG. 10) on
top of the inwardly extending connector projections 252-254 (see
FIG. 9). Referring to FIG. 7, each of the outwardly extending
connector projections 312-314 (see FIG. 10) includes a downwardly
opening notch 320 configured to receive the upwardly extending tab
256 (see FIG. 15) of a corresponding one of the inwardly extending
connector projections 252-254 (see FIG. 9). Referring to FIG. 5,
the lid base 136 may be removed from inside the lid body 130 by
optionally pushing upwardly on the lid base 136 (using the handle
member 302) to disengage the downwardly opening notches 320 from
the upwardly extending tabs 256 (see FIG. 15) and rotating the lid
base 136 (using the handle member 302) in a direction opposite the
direction identified by the curved arrow 319 until the outwardly
extending connector projections 312-314 (see FIG. 10) are no longer
on top of the inwardly extending connector projections 252-254 (see
FIG. 9). Then, the lid base 136 may be removed from the lid body
130 by sliding the outwardly extending connector projections
312-314 (see FIG. 10) between the inwardly extending connector
projections 252-254 (see FIG. 9).
The handle member 302 is generally u-shaped having a first leg
portion 324 connected to a second leg portion 326 by an
intermediate grip portion 328. The first and second leg portions
324 and 326 are connected to opposite portions of the ring-shaped
member 300 and extend downwardly therefrom. Thus, the grip portion
328 is positioned below and extends across the ring-shaped member
300.
Referring to FIG. 5, the plunger assembly 138 is mountable to the
lid base 136, which, as described above, is removably mountable
inside the lid body 130.
Plunger Assembly
Referring to FIG. 5, the plunger assembly 138 may be characterized
as being a mechanism that seals and unseals the drinking port 122.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the plunger assembly 138 includes a
cartridge member 330, a movable plunger member 332, a rotatable cam
member 334, a pair of biasing members 336 and 338, a seal or plug
member 340, and a vent seal 342. The cam member 334 is configured
to transition between an open position (see FIG. 4) and a closed
position (see FIGS. 3, 13, and 14). When the cam member 334 is
rotated to the open position (see FIG. 4), the cam member 334 moves
the plunger member 332 to the open position (see FIG. 4).
Similarly, when the cam member 334 is rotated to the closed
position (see FIGS. 3, 13, and 14), the biasing members 336 and 338
move the plunger member 332 to a closed position (see FIG. 3).
Referring to FIG. 6, the cartridge member 330 has a generally
ring-shaped portion 350 with an upper portion 352 that overhangs a
lower recessed portion 354. The lower recessed portion 354 is
configured to be received inside the ring-shaped member 300 of the
lid base 136. The lower recessed portion 354 has an annular outer
groove 358 formed therein that is configured to receive and house
the lips 316 and 318 of the lid base 136. Thus, the lid base 136
and the cartridge member 330 may be assembled together.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a bridge portion 360 extends across the
ring-shaped portion 350. Referring to FIG. 6, at opposite first and
second ends 362 and 364 of the bridge portion 360, projections 366
and 368, respectively, extend upwardly from the upper portion 352.
At the first end 362, the bridge portion 360 includes a first
through-hole 370 positioned near the first projection 366. At the
second end 364, the bridge portion 360 includes a second
through-hole 372 positioned near the second projection 368.
Referring to FIG. 11, in the embodiment illustrated, the first
through-hole 370 has a keyway portion 374 adjacent a plunger
receiving portion 376. The second through-hole 372 has a pair of
side keyway portions 380 and 382 flanking a central plunger
receiving portion 386. The side keyway portions 380 and 382 extend
away from the plunger receiving portion 386 at an angle "A" with
respect the bridge portion 360.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the plunger member 332 is removably
mounted to the cartridge member 330. The plunger member 332 has a
body portion 390 with a first end portion 392 opposite a second end
portion 394. At the first end portion 392, a first projection 396
extends downwardly from the body portion 390. At the second end
portion 394, a second projection 398 extends downwardly from the
body portion 390. Referring to FIG. 6, the projections 396 and 398
may be substantially similar to the projections 366 and 368 of the
cartridge member 330.
A first anchor projection 400 extends downwardly from the first end
portion 392 of the body portion 390. The first anchor projection
400 is spaced inwardly from the first projection 396. A second
anchor projection 402 extends downwardly from the second end
portion 394 of the body portion 390. The second anchor projection
402 is spaced inwardly from the second projection 398.
The first anchor projection 400 includes a distal key member 404
configured to be received by the keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11)
of the first through-hole 370. The first anchor projection 400 is
slidable from the keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11) to the plunger
receiving portion 376 (see FIG. 11) of the first through-hole 370
after the distal key member 404 has been inserted through the
keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11). The distal key member 404 is
configured not to pass through the plunger receiving portion 376
(see FIG. 11). Thus, the distal key member 404 prevents the first
anchor projection 400 from being removed from the plunger receiving
portion 376 (see FIG. 11) of the first through-hole 370.
A distal end 408 of the second anchor projection 402 is flanked by
a pair of key members 410 and 412 configured to pass through the
side keyway portions 380 and 382 (see FIG. 11), respectively,
flanking the plunger receiving portion 386 (see FIG. 11) of the
second through-hole 372. The angle "A" (see FIG. 11) is configured
to allow the distal end 408 of the second anchor projection 402 to
pass through the plunger receiving portion 386 (see FIG. 11) with
the key members 410 and 412 passing through the side keyway
portions 380 and 382 (see FIG. 11), respectively. At the same time,
the distal key member 404 of the first anchor projection 400 is
received by the keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11) of the first
through-hole 370. Then, the plunger member 332 is rotated in a
direction identified by a curved arrow 409 to slide the first
anchor projection 400 from the keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11) to
the plunger receiving portion 376 (see FIG. 11) of the first
through-hole 370. This rotation places the key members 410 and 412
out of alignment with the side keyway portions 380 and 382 (see
FIG. 11), respectively. Thus, the key members 410 and 412 prevent
the second anchor projection 402 from being removed from the
plunger receiving portion 386 (see FIG. 11) of the second
through-hole 372. At the same time, the distal key member 404
prevents the first anchor projection 400 from being removed from
the plunger receiving portion 376 (see FIG. 11) of the first
through-hole 370. The plunger member 332 may be removed from the
cartridge member 330 by rotating the plunger member 332 a direction
opposite the direction identified by the curved arrow 409 to slide
the first anchor projection 400 from the plunger receiving portion
376 (see FIG. 11) to the keyway portion 374 (see FIG. 11) of the
first through-hole 370. At the same time, the key members 410 and
412 are aligned with the side keyway portions 380 and 382 (see FIG.
11), respectively. Then, the plunger member 332 may be lifted from
the cartridge member 330 to disengage the first and second anchor
projections 400 and 402 from the first and second through-holes 370
and 372, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first seal mounting projection 420
extends upwardly from the first end portion 392 of the body portion
390. The first seal mounting projection 420 has a free distal end
422 configured to receive the plug member 340.
A second seal mounting projection 430 extends upwardly from the
second end portion 394 of the body portion 390. Referring to FIG.
6, the second seal mounting projection 430 has a free distal end
432 configured to receive the vent seal 342.
Referring to FIG. 6, the body portion 390 has an opening or a
recess 440 configured to receive the cam member 334. Referring to
FIG. 12, a raised portion 442 extends upwardly from the body
portion 390 adjacent the recess 440. A horizontal support member
444 extends between the first and second anchor projections 400 and
402 and below the recess 440. The support member 444 has a side
surface 446 that provides a stop wall for the cam member 334 (see
FIGS. 3-7, 13, and 14).
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the rotatable cam member 334 has a
central through-channel 450 extending therethrough along the
vertical axis "V" (see FIG. 1). In the embodiment illustrated, the
cam member 334 is generally disk shaped. The cam member 334 has an
upper planar surface 454 opposite a lower surface 456. The lower
surface 456 has a planar portion 458 (see FIG. 13) opposite an
inclined portion 460 (see FIG. 14). A central projection 462
extends downwardly from the lower surface 456. Referring to FIG. 6,
the projection 462 is configured to be received inside the recess
440 of the plunger member 332 with the inclined portion 460 (see
FIG. 14) resting upon the raised portion 442. A stop member 466
extends downwardly from the lower surface 456 along a periphery 468
of the cam member 334. Referring to FIG. 14, the stop member 466 is
positioned at a lower portion 464 of the inclined portion 460. The
inclined portion 460 has a higher portion 465 spaced apart from the
lower portion 464.
When the cam member 334 is in the closed position (see FIGS. 3, 13,
14), the stop member 466 bears against a portion of the side
surface 446 of the support member 444 near the first end portion
392 of the plunger member 332. In this position, the higher portion
465 of the inclined portion 460 is positioned upon the raised
portion 442. Referring to FIG. 3, the higher portion 465 (see FIG.
14) allows the biasing members 336 and 338 to push the plunger
member 332 upwardly. The plunger member 332 carries the plug member
340 and pushes the plug member 340 against the downwardly facing
surface 211, which closes the drinking port 122. Referring to FIG.
14, on the other hand, when the cam member 334 is in the open
position (see FIG. 4), the stop member 466 bears against a
different portion of the side surface 446 of the support member 444
near the second end portion 394 of the plunger member 332.
Referring to FIG. 4, in this position, the lower portion 464 of the
inclined portion 460 is positioned upon the raised portion 442. The
lower portion 464 pushes against the raised portion 442 and pushes
the plunger member 332 downwardly compressing the biasing members
336 and 338 and spacing the plug member 340 from the drinking port
122, which opens the drinking port 122.
Referring to FIG. 6, the biasing members 336 and 338 bias the
plunger member 332 upwardly away from the cartridge member 330. In
the embodiment illustrated, the biasing members 336 and 338 have
each been implemented as a coil spring. The biasing members 336 and
338 are configured to be seated on the projections 366 and 368,
respectively. In the embodiment illustrated, the biasing members
336 and 338 receive the projections 366 and 368, respectively,
which extend upwardly into the biasing members 336 and 338,
respectively. Likewise, the biasing members 336 and 338 receive the
projections 396 and 398, respectively, which extend downwardly into
the biasing members 336 and 338, respectively. Thus, the biasing
members 336 and 338 are sandwiched between the plunger member 332
and the cartridge member 330. As the plunger member 332 moves with
respect to the cartridge member 330 from the closed position to the
open position, the biasing members 336 and 338 are compressed
between the plunger member 332 and the cartridge member 330.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug member 340 is configured to
abut the downwardly facing surface 211 and form a seal therewith
when the plunger member 332 is in the closed position (see FIG. 3).
Referring to FIG. 6, the plug member 340 has an upper surface 470
surrounded by an upwardly extending lip 472. Referring to FIG. 7,
opposite the upper surface 470 (see FIG. 6), the plug member 340
has an aperture 476 configured to receive the free distal end 422
of the first seal mounting projection 420 of the plunger member
332. The plug member 340 is carried by the plunger member 332 as
the plunger member 332 transitions between the open and closed
positions. Referring to FIG. 6, when the plunger member 332
transitions to the closed position from the open position, the
upper surface 470 and/or the upwardly extending lip 472 abuts the
downwardly facing surface 211 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 9) and forms a
seal therewith closing the drinking port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8).
On the other hand, when the plunger member 332 transitions to the
open position from the closed position, the plug member 340 moves
away from the downwardly facing surface 211 allowing the liquid 124
(see FIG. 1) to flow passed the plug member 340 and out through the
drinking port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8).
The vent seal 342 has an upper surface 480 opposite a downwardly
opening aperture 482 (see FIG. 7) configured to receive the free
distal end 432 of the second seal mounting projection 430 of the
plunger member 332. The vent seal 342 is carried by the plunger
member 332 as the plunger member 332 transitions between the open
and closed positions. Referring to FIG. 3, when the plunger member
332 transitions to the closed position from the open position, the
upper surface 480 is received inside the recess 178 formed in the
underside of the platform 160 and blocks the vent through-hole 172
to form a seal that prevents gases (e.g., steam) from flowing
through the vent through-channel 196 that connects the vent
aperture 192 to the vent through-hole 172. Referring to FIG. 4, on
the other hand, when the plunger member 332 transitions to the open
position from the closed position, the vent seal 342 moves away
from the vent through-hole 172 allowing the gases (e.g., steam) to
flow passed the vent seal 342, through the vent through-channel
196, and out the vent aperture 192 into the environment outside the
container 100. Thus, when the drinking port 122 is open, the vent
through-hole 172 is also open. On the other hand, when the drinking
port 122 is closed, the vent through-hole 172 is also closed.
By way of a non-limiting example, the plug member 340 and the vent
seal 342 may each be constructed from a flexible, compressible,
and/or malleable material (e.g., rubber, silicone, and the
like).
Drive Assembly
Referring to FIG. 5, the drive assembly 140 rotates the cam member
334 between the open and closed positions, which moves the plunger
member 332 between the open and closed positions, respectively. The
drive assembly 140 includes a substrate 500 (e.g., implemented as a
printed circuit board), a drive mechanism 502 (e.g., an electric
motor, a solenoid, and the like), and a power source 504 (e.g., a
battery). The power source 504 provides power to both the drive
mechanism 502 and drive circuitry 510 (see FIG. 16) mounted on the
substrate 500. The substrate 500 may include through-holes 512 and
514 configured to receive the fasteners F1 and F2, which couple the
substrate 500 to the mounting structures 220 and 221 (see FIG. 8),
respectively.
FIG. 16 depicts exemplary elements of the drive circuitry 510.
Referring to FIG. 16, the drive circuitry 510 is configured to
operate and control the drive mechanism 502. In the example
illustrated, the drive circuitry 510 includes a microcontroller
520, an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") 522, a drive element 524
(e.g., a motor drive, a solenoid drive, and the like), and a
current sensor 526. Optionally, the drive circuitry 510 may include
one or more light emitting diode ("LED") 528, a lockout switch 530,
and/or a charger 532 with a port 534 (e.g., a USB port). The power
source 504 and the drive mechanism 502 are both connected to the
drive circuitry 510. In the embodiment illustrated, the
microcontroller 520, the IMU 522, and the drive element 524 are
each connected to the power source 504 in parallel. The current
sensor 526 is connected both the microcontroller 520 and the drive
element 524. The drive mechanism 502 is connected to the current
sensor 526 and the drive element 524. The microcontroller 520 is
also connected to the lockout switch 530 and the LED(s) 528, which
are each connected to ground. The optional charger 532 is connected
across the power source 504 and in parallel with the
microcontroller 520, the IMU 522, and the drive element 524. The
port 534 is connected to the charger 532 and configured to supply
power thereto.
The IMU 522 may include a microelectromechanical three-axis
accelerometer 540 and a three-axis gyroscope 542, as well as
on-board associated signal processing/conditioning (not shown) and
a digital output (not shown). For ease of illustration, the
accelerometer 540 and the gyroscope 542 will be described as
measuring information with respect to a common set of three
orthogonal axes that will be referred to as a pitch axis "P," a
roll axis "R," and the vertical axis "V" (see FIG. 1). Referring to
FIG. 1, the pitch axis "P" is the predominant axis used for
drinking.
The accelerometer 540 (see FIG. 16) is configured to provide
acceleration along each of the pitch, roll, and vertical axes "P,"
"R," and "V," which may be summed to obtain a total acceleration
value. By way of a non-limiting example, the total acceleration
value may be measured in multiples of the acceleration of gravity
("G"), which is about 9.8 meters per second per second (m/s.sup.2).
When the container 100 is sitting static on a desk, the total
acceleration value is approximately 1.0 G.
The gyroscope 542 (see FIG. 16) is configured to provide an angle
of rotation and a rate of rotation about each of the pitch, roll,
and vertical axes "P," "R," and "V." However, only the angle and
rate of rotation about the pitch and roll axes "P" and "R" are
used. By way of a non-limiting example, the angle of rotation may
be measured in degrees with positive rotation being in directions
identified by curved arrows 544 and 546 about the pitch and roll
axes "P" and "R," respectively. The rate of rotation may be measure
in degrees per second. The gyroscope 542 (see FIG. 16) may be
configured to measure the rate of rotation about each of the pitch
and roll axes "P" and "R" at a bandwidth of approximately 50 Hz.
However, a different (e.g., lower or higher) bandwidth may be
used.
As mentioned above, referring to FIG. 5, the lid cover 132 may be
transparent and/or translucent to allow light to shine
therethrough. In such embodiments, the LED(s) 528 (see FIG. 16) may
be positioned such that light emitted by the LED(s) 528 may shine
through the lid cover 132.
Referring to FIG. 15, in the embodiment illustrated, the drive
mechanism 502 includes a motor 550, a motor shaft 552, and a
bushing or motor seal 554. The motor 550 is rotatable in a closing
direction (illustrated by a curved arrow 556 in FIG. 5) and an
opening direction that is opposite the closing direction. The
direction in which the motor 550 rotates is determined by the drive
element 524 (see FIG. 16). In the embodiment illustrated, the motor
550 is mounted within the area 184 (see FIG. 8) between the
sidewalls 180 and 182 (see FIG. 8).
The motor shaft 552 has a proximal end 560 opposite a distal end
562. The proximal end 560 is coupled to the motor 550, which
rotates the motor shaft 552 thereby. The motor shaft 552 extends
downwardly from the motor 550 and through the motor seal 554 and
positions the distal end 562 in the central through-channel 450
(see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the cam member 334 (see FIGS. 3-7, 13, and
14). When the motor 550 rotates the motor shaft 552, the cam member
334 rotates therewith.
The motor seal 554 is configured to be received inside the central
through-hole 170 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) that extends through the
platform 160 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 9). The motor seal 554 creates
a circumferential seal around a portion of the motor shaft 552
between the proximal and distal ends 560 and 562 and seals the
upper interior portion 162 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) from the lower
interior portion 164. Thus, the motor seal 554 prevents the liquid
124 (see FIG. 1) from entering the upper interior portion 162 (see
FIGS. 5 and 8) along the motor shaft 552 and through the central
through-hole 170 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).
Method
FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a method 600 performed by the
microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16). Referring to FIG. 16, the
microcontroller 520 uses the IMU 522 to sense motion(s) of the
container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) and determine a state of the
container 100. Based on the state of the container 100, the
microcontroller 520 also directs the drive element 524 to move the
plunger assembly 138 (see FIGS. 5-7) to open or close the drinking
port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8). The container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4)
may be in one of the following states: 1. an unknown state (block
610) in which the drinking port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) is
closed; 2. an upright state (block 620) in which the drinking port
122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) is closed; and 3. a drinking state (block
660) in which the drinking port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) is
open.
Referring to FIG. 1, rotation about the pitch and roll axes "P" and
"R" is zero when the container 100 is in an upright and stationary
position (illustrated in FIG. 1). Additionally, when the container
100 is in the upright and stationary position, the total
acceleration value will indicate static acceleration (e.g., 1 G).
The method 600 (see FIG. 17) may be characterized as using
information obtained from the gyroscope 542 (see FIG. 16) regarding
motion about the pitch axis "P" (such as angle of rotation and
rotation rate) to determine whether the user is drinking, has
finished drinking, etc. The method 600 (see FIG. 17) may also be
characterized as using information obtained from the gyroscope 542
(see FIG. 16) regarding motion about the roll axis "R" to determine
when an excessive roll angle has occurred (e.g., greater than about
45 degrees) which indicates misuse of the container 100 or
accidentally spillage of the liquid 124.
Referring to FIG. 17, during the performance of the method 600, the
microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) occasionally (e.g., periodically)
queries the IMU 522 for rotation and acceleration information. From
this information, the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) obtains the
angles of rotation about the angles of rotation about the pitch and
roll axes "P" and "R" (see FIG. 1), a rate of rotation about the
pitch axis "P," and the total acceleration value.
In first block 610, the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) starts
out with the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) in the unknown state.
When the container 100 is in the unknown state, the drinking port
122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) is closed. The container 100 remains in
the unknown state until the microcontroller 520 detects that the
container 100 is in the upright state.
In block 620, the microcontroller 520 detects that the container
100 is in the upright state. By way of a non-limiting example, the
microcontroller 520 may detect that the container 100 is in the
upright state when the angles of rotation about the pitch and roll
axes "P" and "R" (see FIG. 1) are less than pitch and roll lower
angle thresholds, respectively, and the total acceleration value is
between upper and lower acceleration thresholds. By way of
non-limiting examples, the pitch and roll lower angle thresholds
may each be about 20 degrees, the lower acceleration threshold may
be about 0.5 G, and the upper acceleration threshold may be about
1.5 G.
Next, in block 630, the microcontroller 520 detects that the
container 100 has begun to move. By way of a non-limiting example,
the microcontroller 520 may determine that the container 100 is
moving when the angle of rotation about the pitch axis "P" (see
FIG. 1) is greater than the pitch lower angle threshold (e.g.,
about 20 degrees).
In decision block 640, the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16)
determines whether the motion detected in block 630 has
transitioned the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) to the unknown state
or another state. The decision in decision block 640 is "YES," when
the microcontroller 520 determines the container 100 has
transitioned to the unknown state. Otherwise, the decision in
decision block 640 is "NO." By way of a non-limiting example, the
microcontroller 520 may determine the container 100 has
transitioned to the unknown state when the angle of rotation about
the roll axis "R" (see FIG. 1) is greater than a roll upper angle
threshold and/or the total acceleration value is between the upper
and lower acceleration thresholds. By way of a non-limiting
example, the roll upper angle threshold may be about 45
degrees.
When the decision in decision block 640 is "YES," the
microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) returns to first block 610 and
may trigger an error condition. On the other hand, when the
decision in decision block 640 is "NO," the microcontroller 520
advances to decision block 650.
In decision block 650, the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16)
determines whether the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) has
transitioned to the drinking state or has remained in the upright
state. The decision in decision block 650 is "YES," when the
microcontroller 520 determines the container 100 has transitioned
to the drinking state. Otherwise, the decision in decision block
650 is "NO." By way of a non-limiting example, the microcontroller
520 may determine the container 100 has transitioned to the
drinking state when (1) the angle of rotation about the pitch axis
"P" (see FIG. 1) is between the pitch lower angle threshold (e.g.,
about 20 degrees) and a pitch upper angle threshold for at least a
predetermined time period (e.g., sufficient for the container 100
to reach a drinking angle), and (2) the total acceleration value is
between the upper and lower acceleration thresholds (e.g., 0.5
G>=the total acceleration value<=1.5 G). By way of a
non-limiting example, the pitch upper angle threshold may be about
180 degrees and the predetermined time period may be about 2
seconds.
When the decision in decision block 650 is "NO," the
microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) returns to block 620. On the
other hand, when the decision in decision block 650 is "YES," the
microcontroller 520 advances to block 660.
In block 660, the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) is in the drinking
state and the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) instructs the drive
element 524 to open the drinking port 122. Thus, referring to FIG.
5, the microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) instructs the drive
element 524 (see FIG. 16) to cause the drive mechanism 502 to
rotate the cam member 334 in the closing direction identified by
the curved arrow 556.
Returning to FIG. 17, in decision block 670, the microcontroller
520 (see FIG. 16) determines whether the container 100 (see FIGS.
1-4) has transitioned to the unknown state or remains in the
drinking state. The decision in decision block 670 is "YES," when
the microcontroller 520 determines the container 100 has
transitioned to the unknown state. Otherwise, the decision in
decision block 670 is "NO." By way of a non-limiting example, the
microcontroller 520 may determine the container 100 transitioned to
the unknown state when rotation about the pitch axis "P" (see FIG.
1) is less than the pitch lower angle threshold (e.g., about 20
degrees), rotation about the roll axis "R" (see FIG. 1) is greater
than the roll upper angle threshold (e.g., about 45 degrees), or
the total acceleration value is between the upper and lower
acceleration thresholds.
When the decision in decision block 670 is "YES," the
microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) returns to block 610. On the
other hand, when the decision in decision block 670 is "NO," the
microcontroller 520 returns to block 660.
Thus, during normal drinking, the method 600 flows from the unknown
state in first block 610 to the upright state in block 620 to
detecting motion in block 630. Then, the method 600 flows from
decision block 640 to decision block 650 to the drinking state in
block 660. Finally, the method 600 flows to decision block 670 and
returns to the unknown state in first block 610. Thus, after
drinking, as the container 100 (see FIGS. 1-4) is returned to
vertical and the drinking port 122 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) is
closed.
The microcontroller 520 (see FIG. 16) detects the unknown state
(block 610) when one of several "error states" occurs (and the user
would not want the drinking port 122 to open). For example, a first
error state occurs when the user starts a brisk walk or jog. When
the user is walking, the container is experiencing moderate
acceleration and is in nearly the position as when the container
100 is sitting on a surface. Thus, when the user is walking, the
container 100 will remain in the upright state. On the other hand,
when the user starts a brisk walk or jog, an error state is tripped
because the acceleration exceeds the upper acceleration threshold.
Thus, when the user is walking and breaks into a brisk walk or jog,
the drinking port 122 will close or remain closed and the
microcontroller 520 will return to block 610 (wherein the container
100 is in the unknown state).
By way of another non-limiting example, a second error state occurs
when the container 100 is dropped or tips over suddenly (e.g., the
container 100 is knocked over on a desk). When the container 100 is
dropped or tips over suddenly, the IMU 522 senses a sudden drop in
acceleration as the container 100 falls. Thus, the acceleration is
less than the lower acceleration threshold and the conditions for
opening the drinking port 122 are not satisfied. Thus, the
container 100 will close or remain closed.
By way of another non-limiting example, a third error state occurs
when the user suddenly drops the container 100 while drinking.
Thus, the container 100 starts out in the drinking state (block
660). Then, the accelerometer 540 senses the acceleration is less
than the lower acceleration threshold and the microcontroller 520
transitions to the unknown state (block 610) and closes the
drinking port 122.
The foregoing described embodiments depict different components
contained within, or connected with, different other components. It
is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely
exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be
implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual
sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same
functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired
functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to
achieve the desired functionality.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications
may be made without departing from this invention and its broader
aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within
their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the
true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be
understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended
claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations).
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *